Self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus



Feb. 9, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 10

3 MM. w

Feb. 9, 1965 c. E. PARSONS y fl SELF-PROPELLING ATTACHMENT FOR MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 10, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9, 1965 c. E. PARSONS 391 9 SELFPROPELLING ATTACHMENT FOR MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 10, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 c. E. PARSONS $16993? SELF-PROPELLING ATTACHMENT FOR MINING APPARATUS Feb. 9, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 10, 1962 Feb. 9, 1965 c. E. PARSONS 3,W,@3

SELF -PROPELLING ATTACHMENT FOR MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 10, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 9, 1965 c. E. PARSONS 3,1Wfl7 SELF-PROPELLING ATTACHMENT FOR MINING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 10, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 3,169,937 SE1 F-PRtBhELLlNG ATTAQHRENT Ffllt ltilNhQG APPARATUES Charles E. Parsons, Richlanrls, Va assignor to Yates & Parsons, line, Fiiehlands, Va, a 'eorporation of Virginia Filed Aug. Id, 1962, Sex. No. 2i6,li92 8 Claims. Cl. 299-51) This invention relates to mining or quarrying. and more particularly to a self-propelling attachment for seam cutting or similar mining apparatus to facilitate movement of such apparatus during mining or quarrying operations.

Conventional seam cutting or similar mining or quarrying apparatus is not normally of the self-propelling type, but is conventionally moved for limited distances by means of pulley and cable arrangements or where the same is to be moved for a considerable distance, a tractor and trailer arrangement may be utilized. While certain types of self-propelled mining or quarrying apparatus have heretofore been proposed and utilized, these have been relatively massive and costly and moreover could not be converted from a self-propelled to a nonpropelled type or vice versa and consequently, the utility of such apparatus was somewhat impaired. The provision of a self-propelling attachment for conventional mining apparatus materially increases the utility and adaptability thereof, in that the same may be conveniently utilized with or without the seltpropelling attachment, it being a relatively simple operation to attach or remove such self-propelling attachment from the apparatus.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a self-propelling attachment for conventional mining apparatus which may be conveniently attached to or removed from such apparatus and Without necessitating any major change or modification of the apparatus in order to accommodate the self-propelling attachment.

A further object of the invention is the provision of aself-propelling attachment for mining apparatus, which apparatus includes a cutter and a motor for driving the cutter, the self-propelling attachment including hydraulic motors for operating the same to move the apparatus along the ground, together with hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the apparatus with respect to the ground, there being a hydraulic pump and clutchfor coupling the pump to the motor of the apparatus together with suitable controls for the hydraulic motors and cylinders.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus, including ground engaging wheels and supporting means for the wheels which permits appropriate movement thereof during passage over rough or uneven ground.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus, such attachment including ground engaging Wheels and support means for the wheels, together with hydraulic cylinders which may be utilized to raise or lower the apparatus with respect to the ground to vary the height thereof and which also may be actuated to raise the wheels completely out of engagement with the ground and maintain the same in substantially a horizontal position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus, such attachment including separate ground engaging running gear units for attachment to opposite sides of the apparatus, each unit including front and rear ground engaging wheels, together with means for simultaneously driving such wheels, thereby providing a four wheel drive for the apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is the provision nited States Patent of a self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus, such attachment including separate ground engaging running gear units, each unit having front and rear ground engaging wheels together with drive means for such wheels and a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering of the wheels with respect to the apparatus, there being a novel guiding means for guiding the wheels and supporting means therefor during vertical movement and also for eliminating transverse strain on the hydraulic cylinder and piston rod associated therewith' Another object of the invention is the provision of a selfpropelling attachment for mining apparatus, which attachment may be conveniently and economically manufactured from readily available materials and applied to the apparatus Without material modification of the same and which also utilizes the normal driving motor of the apparatus asa prime mover for the self-propelling attachment.

Further objects and advantages or the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the conventional mining apparatus with the self-propelling attachment of this invention in place thereon;

, FIG. 2 a top plan view similar to FIG. 1, but with certain parts eliminated and other parts in section for greater Clarity; v. PEG. 3 a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of FIG. 1 and showing the structure of one of the ground engaging mining gear units;

FIG. 4 a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and showing the hydraulic cylinder in eX- tended position to raise the apparatus .above the ground;

FIG. 5 a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of FIG. 3 and showing the mounting means for one of the "ground engaging wheels;

FIG. 6 a sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of FIG. 3 and showing the hydraulic cylinder and ground engaging wheels in partially retracted position;

FIG. 7 a sectional view similar to .FIG. 6, but showing the hydraulic cylinder and ground engaging wheels in fully retracted position above the ground and with the frame of the apparatus engaging the ground;

FIG. 8 a sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of FIG. 3 and showing the hydraulic wheel driving motor, together with the mounting means therefor;

PEG. 9 a sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of FIG. 3 and showing the countershaft and mounting means therefor;

FIG. 10 a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, but to a reduced scale and showing the manner in which the wheel mounting means pivots to accommodate the attfachment to rough or uneven ground;

FIG. 11 a view similar to' FIG. 10, but showing the hydrauliccylinder and ground engaging wheels in fully retracted position and with the frame of the apparatus engaging the ground;

FIG. 12 a view similar to FIG. 11, but with the hydraulic cylinder and ground engaging wheels in extended position to raise the apparatus above the ground to the desired height;

FIG. 13 an exploded view with parts in section for greater clarity and showing the manner in which the wheels, support and guide means therefor, as well as the driving means may be detached or assembled with the hydraulic cylinder and mounting plate on the apparatus; and

FIG. 14 a view in perspective to a reduced scale showing a portion of the wheel support guide unit.

With continued reference to the drawings, there is shown a conventional mining apparatus commonly known as a seam cutting machine and only so much of the structure of such machine is shown as is necessary to facilitate a clear description and understanding of the self-propelling attachment of this invention, since a majority of the specific structural details of the mining apparatus per se form no part of the instant invention. As shown in the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the seam cutting machine includes a generally rectangular box-like frame which serves to house an electric motor gear transmission for driving a chain saw type cutter 11 which is supported on and projects from the forward end of the frame 10. The seam cutting machine of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is designed to operate during cutting operations with the frame 10 resting on and supported by the ground and the machine is moved forwardly or rearwardly during thet cutting operation by cable and pulley arrangements, not shown, and when it is desired to transport the apparatus to other locations, it is common practice to load the same on a suitable trailer or other vehicle for such purpose.

The self-propelling attachment of this invention is intended to provide mobility for the seam cutting machine to permit convenient self-propelled movement of the same during cutting operations and also for limited transportation of the machine within the range of a supply of electric power. As shown in the drawings, the self-propelling attachment comprises separate ground engaging running gear units 12 attached to opposite sides of the frame 10 and since the running gear units are substantially identical in construction, a detailed description of the structure of one unit will suffice for both and the self-propelling attachment also includes a hydraulic pump 13 which may be coupled through a manually controlled clutch 14 of suitable design and including a control lever 15 to the electric drive motor housed in the frame 10 of the seam cutting machine and also included a hydraulic fluid supply tank 16 supported on the frame 10 and a hydraulic control 17 mounted on the frame 10 and having manually operable control levers 18, the purpose of which will be later described.

Each of the running gear units 12 may well comprise a base plate 19 for attachment by screw threaded or other suitable fastening means 26 to the frame 10 of the mining apparatus and secured to the base plate 19 adjacent the upper edge thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom away from the frame 10 of the mining apparatus is a bracket 21. Supported on the bracket 21 and depending therefrom is a hydraulic cylinder 22 provided with a downwardly projecting piston rod 23. If desired, the hydraulic cylinder 22 may be of the multiple concentric piston type which allows for a greater travel of the piston rod with a minimum length of the cylinder when the piston rod is in retracted position and for purposes of illustration, the hydraulic cylinder 22 is shown as including two telescopically related pistons 24 and 25 with the piston rod 23 fixed to the inner piston 25.

An elo ngated bar 26 is pivotally mounted intermediate the length thereof at 27 on the lower end of the piston rod 23 and as shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of the inner piston 25 is provided with a clearance notch 28 to permit pivotal movement of the bar 26 on the pivot pin 27 for a purpose to be later described. Front and rear stub axles 29 and 30 are mounted on the bar 26 and such axles serve to rotatably mount front and rear ground engaging wheels 31 and 32 respectively. At best shown in FIG. 5, the front axle 29 may be provided with a reduced portion 33 which serves to receive a bearing 34 which may, if desired, be formed of one of the conventional porous bearing materials or of other material and may, of course, if desired, comprise a suitable anti-friction bearing. Rotatably mounted on the bearing 34 is the hub 35 of the wheel 31 and the hub 35 is provided at the outer end thereof with a recess 36 terminating in a shoulder 37. The outer end of the axle 29 may be threaded to receive a nut 38 which engages a washer 39 which in turn engages the shoulder 37 of the hub 35 to retain the wheel 31 in place on the axle 29. The aperture 36 may be closed to prevent the entry of dirt or other foreign material by suitable cover plates 40. Attached to the hub 35, outwardly of the cover plates 40, by screw threaded or other suitable fastening means 41, is a sprocket 42, the purpose of which will be presently described. The mounting and structure of the rear wheel 32 is substantially the same as the front wheel 31, except that a second sprocket 43 of larger diameter than the sprocket 42 is disposed inwardly of the sprocket 42 and secured to the hub 35 by the attaching means 41. The purpose of sprocket 43 will also be presently described.

With particular reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a motor supporting bracket 44 is mounted on the bar 26 and carried by the bracket 44 is a hydraulic motor 4-5 provided with a power output shaft 46 and a sprocket 47 fixed thereto. Brackets 48 and 49 mounted on the motor bracket 44 and the bar 26 serve to rotatably support a countershaft 50 which may be mounted in anti-friction or other suitable bearings 51 and fixed to the countershaft 50 in axially spaced relationship are sprockets 52 and 53. A chain 54 serves to connect the sprocket 47 on the shaft 46 of the motor 45 and the sprocket 52 on the countershaft 51) while a chain 55 serves to connect the sprocket 53 on the couutershaft 59 with the drive sprocket 43 on the rear wheel 32. As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the chain 56 connects the sprockets 42 on the front and rear wheels 31 and 32. As a result, rotation of the power shaft 46 of the hydraulic motor 45 will serve to simultaneously drive the front and rear wheels 31 and 32 in either direction,

depending upon the direction of the operation of the hy-' draulic motor 45.

A guide unit 57 comprises a base portion 58 slidably mounted for vertical movement on the base plate 19 by means of guide members 59 and 60 secured to the base plate 19 by screw threaded or other suitable fastening means 61 and 62 respectively .and projecting outwardly from the base portion 58 are spaced parallel arms 63 and 64 disposed on opposite sides of the hydraulic cylinder 22. As shown in FIG. 4-, arm 63 is provided at the lower edge thereof with a downwardly opening slot 65 which serves to receive the bar 26 which is secured to the arm 63 by welding or the like, and as shown in FIG. 5, the arm 64 is provided at the lower edge thereof with a similar downwardly opening slot 66 which also serves to receive the bar 26 which is secured to the arm 64 by welding or the like. As a consequence, the guide unit 57 serves to support and guide the bar 26 during vertical movement thereof as the result of the actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 22. As shown in FIG. 3, upper and lower conduits 67 and 68 are connected to the hydraulic cylinder 22 and the arm 64 is provided with an upwardly opening slot 69 in the upper edge thereof for receiving the upper conduit 67 and the arm 64 is also provided with an aperture 70 for the passage of the lower conduit 68 therethrough.

It is to be noted that the guide unit 57 moves vertically with the bar 26 and ground engaging wheels 31 and 32 upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 22 and in order to protect the sprockets and chains against damage and also to protect personnel against injury there may be provided a guard or shield 71 supported on the outer ends of the arms 63 and 64 of the guide unit 57 which results in the guard or shield 71 maintaining a fixed position with respect to the chains and sprockets, regardless of the vertical movement of the bar 26 and wheels carried thereby. Also as shown in FIG. 9, a suitable guard or shield 72 may be mounted on the motor supporting bracket 44 for protecting the sprockets 47 and 52 and chain 54. The guard or shield 72 is also clearly shown in FIG. 3.

As best shown in FIG. 1, conduits 67 connected to the upper ends of hydraulic cylinders 22 on the opposite running gear units are connected together to a common conduit '73 leading to the control valve 17 and in a similar manner, the conduit 68 from the lower ends of the hyamass? draulic cylinders 22 on the opposite running gear units are connected to a common conduit 74 also leading to the control valve 17. The hydraulic motors 4-4 onthe opposite running gear units are connected through conduits 75 and 76 to the control valve 17 to provide for forward or reverse operation of the hydraulic motors 45 and the hydraulic pump 13 may be connected through a conduit 77 to the hydraulic fluid supply tank ft: and through a conduit 73 to the control valve 17.

The operation of the self-propelling attachment of this invention is best described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 and in HGS. l0 and 12, the piston rods 23 of the hydraulic cylinders 22; are shown in extended position to elevate the frame 1% of the mining apparatus above the ground and in this condition, the hydraulic motors 4-5 may be energized by suitable actuation of the levers 18 of'the control valve 17 to propel the mining apparatus in either forward or reverse direction. Furthermore, the hydraulic cylinders 22 may be utilized to position the mining apparatus at any desired height within the range of movement of the piston rod 23 in the cylinder 22-. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the pivotal mounting of the bars 26 on the piston rods 223 permit rocking or tilting movement of the bars 26 and Wheels 31 and 32 carried thereby in order to compensate for rough or uneven ground over which the apparatus moves and with the bars 26 tilted in the position shown in FIG. 10, the guide units 57 also tilt to maintain a guiding relationship between the bars 26 and the base plate 19. As previously described, the guide units are vertically movable by means of the engagement between the guide members 59 and 6t) and the base portion 58 of the guide unit. The cooperaingengagement between these aforesaid members is such that lateral movement, to a limited extent, is possible. Thus, the guide units 57 and bars 26 are permitted to tilt for imparting movement of the wheels 31 and 32 in the vertical plane.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 11, the hy-- draulic cylinders 22 may be operated to an extent sufficient to raise the bars 26 and wheels 31 and 32 carried thereby a sufficient distance to permit the frame It) of the mining apparatus to engage the ground with the wheels 31 and 32 disposed above the ground and in this position, the upper edges 79 and 3b of the arms 63 and 64 move into' engagement with the lower surface of the bracket 21 thereby limiting upward movement of the bar 26 and wheels carried thereby.

It will thus be seen that by the above described invention there has been provided a self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus which may be conveniently and economically constructed from readily available materials and mounted on conventional mining apparatus without material or extensive modification thereof, it only being necessary to provide for securernent of the base plates 19 to the frame 1% of the apparatus and also to provide for connection of the clutch 1 with the ear transmission normally provided on apparatus for this type. The usual flexible electric power supply cable 81 is conn cted to the conventional drive motor on the mining apparatus and such motor through the conventional gear transmission provided thereon serves to drive the cutter 11, as well as the hydraulic pump 13 through the clutch l4 and thereafter upon appropriate operation of the control levers 13 of the control valve 17, complete control of the selfpropelling attachment, both as to raising and lowering the mining apparatus and for moving the same forward or backward over the ground is provided for. The self propelling attachment of this invention materially increases the mobility and facilitates operation of mining apparatus and may be utilized for existing equipment or supplied as desired, for new equipment thereby preventing old equipment from becoming obsolete.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the in- 6 vention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus having a generally rectangular frame, a chain saw type cutter projecting from one end of said frame and a motor on said frame for driving said cutter, said attachment comprising separate ground engaging running gear units for attachment to opposite sides of said frame, a hydraulic pump, clutch means for coupling said pump to said motor, a hydraulic fluid supply tank and manually operable hydraulic controls connected to said pump, fluid connection means connecting said tank to said pump, each of said running gear units comprising a base plate for attachment to said frame, a bracket extending outwardly from said plate, a hydraulic cylinder depending from said bracket and having a downwardly projecting piston rod, said hydraulic cylinder being connected to said pump through said hydraulic controls, an elongated bar pivotally mounted intermediate the length thereof on the lower end of said rod, front and rear stub axles mounted on said bar, front and rear ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, a sprocket on each wheel, a chain connecting said sprockets for simultaneous rotation of said wheels, a drive sprocket on said rear wheel, a countershaft rotatably supported on said bar, a motor bracket mounted on said bar, a hydraulic motor mounted on said motor bracket, a chain connecting said countershaft and said drive sprocket, a chain connecting said hydraulic motor and said countershaft, whereby upon operation of said hydraulic motor said wheels will be simuitaneously driven, a guide unit comprising a base portion slidably mounted on said plate for vertical movement and spaced parallel arms disposed on opposite sides of said cylinder, said arms being secured to said bar to guide the same during vertical movement and during pivotal movement about said pivotal mounting.

2. A self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus having a generally rectangular frame, a chain saw type cutter projecting from one end of said frame and a motor on said frame for driving said cutter, said attachment comprising separate ground engaging running gear units for attachment to opposite sides of said frame, a hydraulic pump, clutch means for coupling said pump to said motor, a hydraulic fluid supply tank and manually operable hydraulic controls connected to said pump, fluid connection means connecting said tank to said pump, each of said running gear units comprising a base plate for attachment to said frame, a bracket extending outwardly from said plate, a hydraulic cylinder depending from said bracket and having a downwardly projecting piston rod, said hydraulic cylinder being connected to said pump through said hydraulic controls, an elongated bar pivotally mounted intermediate the length thereof on the lower end of said rod, front and rear stub axles mounted on said bar, front and rear ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, a sprocket on each wheel, a chain connecting said sprockets for simultaneous rotation of said wheels, a drive sprocket on said rear wheel, a motor bracket mounted on said bar, a hydraulic motor mounted on said motor bracket, drive means connecting said hydraulic motor and said drive sprocket, whereby upon operation of said hydraulic motor said wheels will be simultaneously driven, a guide unit comprising a base portion slidably mounted on said plate for vertical movement and spaced parallel arms disposed on opposite sides of said cylinder, said arms being secured to said bar to guide the same during vertical movement and during pivotal movement about said pivotal mounting.

3. A self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus having a generally rectangular frame, a chain saw type cutter projecting from one end of said frame and a motor on said frame for driving said cutter, said attachment comprising separate ground engaging running gear units for attachment to opposite sides of said frame, a hydraulic pump, clutch means for coupling said pump to said motor, a hydraulic fluid supply tank and manually operable hydraulic controls connected to said pump, fluid connection means connecting said tank to said pump, each of said running gear units comprising a base plate for attachment to said frame, a bracket extending outwardly from said plate, a hydraulic cylinder depending from said bracket and having a downwardly projecting piston rod, said hydraulic cylinder being connected to said pump through said hydraulic controls, an elongated bar pivotally mounted intermediate the length thereof on the lower end of said rod, front and rear stub axles mounted on said bar, front and rear ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, drive means on each wheel, flexible means connecting said drive means for simultaneous rotation of said wheels, a second drive means on said rear wheel, a motor bracket mounted on said bar, a hydraulic motor mounted on said motor bracket, flexible means connecting said hydraulic motor and said second drive means, whereby upon operation of said hydraulic motor said wheels will be simultaneously driven, a guide unit comprising a base portion slidably mounted on said plate for vertical movement and spaced parallel arms disposed on opposite sides of said cylinder, said arms being secured to said bar to guide the same during vertical movement and during pivotal movement about said pivotal mounting and conduits connecting said cylinder and said hydraulic motors to said controls.

4. A self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus having a generally rectangular frame, a chain saw type cutter projecting from one end of said frame and a motor on said frame for driving said cutter, said attachment comprising separate ground engaging running gear units for attachment to opposite sides of said frame, a hydraulic pump, clutch means for coupling said pump to said motor, a hydraulic fluid supply tank and manually operable hydraulic controls connected to said pump, fluid connection means connecting said tank to said pump, each of said running gear units comprising a base plate for attachment to said frame, a hydraulic cylinder secured to said plate and having a downwardly projecting piston rod, said hydraulic cylinder being connected to said pump through said hydraulic controls, an elongated bar pivotally mounted intermediate the length thereof on the lower end of said rod, front and rear axles mounted on said bar, front and rear ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, drive means on each wheel, flexible means connecting said drive means for simultaneous rotation of said wheels, a second drive means on said rear wheel, a motor bracket mounted on said bar, a hydraulic motor mounted on said motor bracket, flexible means connecting said hydraulic motor and said second drive means, whereby upon operation of said hydraulic motor said wheels will be simultaneously driven, a guide unit comprising a base portion slidably mounted on said plate for vertical movement and spaced parallel arms disposed on opposite sides of said cylinder, said arms being secured to said bar to guide the same during vertical movement and during pivotal movement about said pivotal mounting and conduits connecting said cylinders and said hydraulic motors to said controls.

5. A self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus having a generally rectangular frame, a chain saw type cutter projecting from one end of said frame and a motor on said frame for driving said cutter, said attachment comprising separate ground engaging running gear units for attachment to opposite sides of said frame, a hydraulic pump, clutch means for coupling said pump to said motor, a hydraulic fluid supply tank and manually operable hydraulic controls connected to said pump, fluid connection means connecting said tank to said pump, each of said running gear units comprising a base plate for attachment to said frame, a hydraulic cylinder secured to said plate and having a downwardly projecting piston rod, said hydraulic cylinder being connected to said pump through said hydraulic controls, an elongated bar pivotaliy mounted intermediate the length thereof on the lower end of said rod, front and rear axles mounted on said bar, front and rear ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, a motor bracket mounted on said bar, a hydraulic motor mounted on said motor bracket, drive means connecting said hydraulic motor and said wheels, whereby upon operation of said hydraulic motor said wheels will be simultaneously driven, a guide unit comprising a base portion slidably mounted on said plate for vertical movement and spaced parallel arms disposed on opposite sides of said cylinder, said arms being secured to said bar to guide the same during vertical movement and during pivotal movement about said pivotal mounting and conduits connecting said cylinders and said hydraulic motors to said controls.

6. A self-propelling attachment for mining apparatus having a generally rectangular frame, a chain saw type cutter projecting from one end of said frame and a motor on said frame for driving said cutter, said attachment comprising separate ground engaging running gear units for attachment to opposite sides of said frame, a hydraulic pump, clutch means for coupling said pump to said motor, a hydraulic fluid supply tank and manually operable hydraulic controls connected to said pump, fluid connection means connecting said tank to said pump, each of said running gear units comprising a base plate for attachment to said frame, a hydraulic cylinder secured to said plate and having a downwardly projecting piston rod, said hydraulic cylinder being connected to said pump through said hydraulic controls, an elongated bar pivotally mounted intermediate the length thereof on the lower end of said rod, front and rear axles mounted on said bar, front and rear ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, a motor bracket mounted on said bar, a hydraulic motor mounted on said motor bracket, drive means connecting said hydraulic motor and at least one of said wheels, a guide unit comprising a base portion slidably mounted on said plate for vertical movement and spaced parallel arms disposed on opposite sides of said cylinder, said arms being secured to said bar to guide the same during vertical movement and during pivotal movement about said pivotal mounting and conduits connecting said cylinders and said hydraulic motors to said controls.

7. Mining apparatus comprising in combination a generally rectangular frame, a chain saw type cutter projecting from one end of said frame, a motor on said frame for driving said cutter, separate ground engaging running gear units mounted on opposite sides of said frame, a hydraulic pump, clutch means coupling said pump to said motor, a hydraulic fluid supply tank and manually operable hydraulic controls connected to said pump, fluid connection means connecting said tank to said pump, each of said running gear units comprising a base plate secured to said frame, a bracket extending outwardly from said plate, a hydraulic cylinder depending from said bracket and having a downwardly projecting piston rod, an elongated bar pivotally mounted intermediate the length thereof on the lower end of said rod, front and rear axles mounted on said bar, front and rear ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, a sprocket on each wheel, a chain connecting said sprockets for simultaneous rotation of said wheels, a drive sprocket on said rear wheel, a countershaft rotatably supported on said bar, a motor bracket mounted on said bar, a hydraulic motor mounted on said motor bracket, a chain connecting said countershaft and said drive sprocket, a chain connecting said hydraulic motor and said countershaft, whereby upon operation of said hydraulic motor said wheels will be simultaneously driven, a guide unit comprising a base portion slidably mounted on said plate for vertical and pivotal movement and spaced parallel arms disposed on opposite sides of said cylinders, said arms being secured to said bar to guide the same during vertical movement and during pivotal movement about said pivotal mounting, whereby upon upward movement of said bar, wheels and guide units by said cylinder, the upper edges of said arms will move into engagement with said bracket to limit upward movement and conduits connecting said cylinders and said hydraulic motors to said controls.

8. Mining apparatus comprising in combination a generally rectangular frame, a chain saw type cutter projecting from one end of said frame, a motor on said frame for driving said cutter, separate ground engaging running gear units mounted on opposite sides of said frame, a hydraulic pump, clutch means for coupling said pump to said motor a hydraulic fluid supply tank and manually operable hydraulic controls connected to said pump, fluid connection means connecting said tank to said pump, each of said running gear units comprising a base plate secured to said frame, a hydraulic cylinder secured to said plate and having a downwardly projecting piston rod, an elongated bar pivotally mounted intermediate the length thereof on the lower end of said rod, front and rear axles mounted on said bar, front and rear ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, a hydraulic motor mounted on said bar, drive means connecting said hydraulic motor and at least one of said Wheels, a guide unit comprising a base portion slidably mounted on said plate for vertical and pivotal movement and spaced parallel arms disposed on opposite sides of said cylinder, said arms being secured to said bar to guide the same during vertical movement and during pivotal movement about said pivotal mounting and conduits connecting said cylinders and said hydraulic motors to said controls.

No references cited. 

1. A SELF-PROPELLING ATTACHMENT FOR MINING APPARATUS HAVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME, A CHAIN SAW TYPE CUTTER PROJECTING FROM ONE END OF SAID FRAME AND A MOTOR ON SAID FRAME FOR DRIVING SAID CUTTER, SAID ATTACHMENT COMPRISING SEPARATE GROUND ENGAGING RUNNING GEAR UNITS FOR ATTACHMENT TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID FRAME, A HYDRAULIC PUMP, CLUTCH MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID PUMP TO SAID MOTOR, A HYDRAULIC FLUID SUPPLY TANK AND MANUALLY OPERABLE HYDRAULIC CONTROLS CONNECTED TO SAID PUMP, FLUID CONNECTION MEANS CONNECTING SAID TANK TO SAID PUMP, EACH OF SAID RUNNING GEAR UNITS COMPRISING A BASE PLATE FOR AT TACHMENT OF SAID FRAME, A BRACKET EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID PLATE, A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER DEPENDING FROM SAID BRACKET AND HAVING A DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING PISTON ROD, SAID HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BEING CONNECTED TO SAID PUMP THROUGH SAID HYDRAULIC CONTROLS, AN ELONGATED BAR PIVOTALLY MOUNTED INTERMEDIATE THE LENGTH THEREOF ON THE LOWER END OF SAID BAR, FRONT AND REAR STUB AXLES MOUNTED ON SAID BAR, FRONT AND REAR GROUND ENGAGING WHEELS ROTATABLY MOUTED ON SAID AXLES, A SPROCKET ON EACH WHEEL, A CHAIN CONNECTING SAID SPROCKET FOR SIMULTANEOUS ROTATION SAID WHEELS, A DRIVE SPROCKET ON SAID REAR WHEEL, A COUNTERSHAFT ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID BAR, A MOTOR BRACKET MOUNTED ON SAID BAR, A HYDRAULIC MOTOR MOUNTED ON SAID MOTOR BRACKET, A CHAIN CONNECTING SAID COUNTERSHAFT AND SAID DRIVE SPROCKET, A CHAIN CONNECTING SAID HYDRAULIC MOTOR AND SAID COUNTERSHAFT, WHEREBY UPON OPERATION OF SAID HYDRAULIC MOTOR SAID WHEELS WILL BE SIMULTANEOUSLY DRIVEN, A GUIDE UNIT COMPRISING A BASE PORTION SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PLATE FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT AND SPACED PARALLEL ARMS DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CYLINDER, SAID ARMS BEING SECURED TO SAID BAR TO GUIDE THE SAME DURING VERTICAL MOVEMENT AND DURING PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID PIVOTAL MOUNTING. 